A TV star officially opened Dorothy House Hospice Care's raised gardening bed last Thursday (April 14) in conjunction with National Gardening Week.

Derek Fowlds, best known for playing Mr Derek on the Basil Brush show and Bernard Woolley in comedies Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, opened the beds and cut the ribbon at the Winsley branch alongside family, friends, patients and staff.

As part of the Incredible Edible project run by the Plot to Plate group the raised bed herb project has been a gift to the Winsley headquarters of the hospice, from the Dorothy House allotment group – a green-fingered bunch of patients, carers and relatives based in Trowbridge and led by volunteer Gerry Ford.

Mr Fowlds, whose long time partner was a volunteer at the hospice, shared his connection to Dorothy House.

"Please in any way you can support Dorothy House and help keep it the special place my Jo and many other people know it to be."

The beds are now home to over 15 varieties of herbs, the majority of them were selected especially by the catering team who identified those that would be a regular benefit in the meals prepared daily for patients and visitors.

Jenny Steele, Communications Manager, said: "It was a really great event and the buds looked lovely. We are very grateful for Derek coming and for his kind words.

"The patients absolutely love this sort of thing. This is a very worthwhile and beneficial thing to do as not only is it fantastic for people's spirits but it makes a real difference for the hospice as well in regards to meals and all sorts."